2016 Acura MDX Review The Acura MDX is a seven-passenger luxury crossover SUV. It’s stuffed with convenience features that make it easy for everyday transportation of large families and a lot of their belongings.

walkaround A mid-size to large vehicle by EPA standards, the MDX is among the roomiest of the three-row family utilities, and it does a superb job of balancing ride comfort with handling. The MDX nameplate was launched as a 2001 model, and this third-generation version was introduced for 2014. The Acura MDX competes with the Lexus RX, Buick Enclave, Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Infiniti QX60, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. The Lexus offers only two rows of seating, however. The Acura offers three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. The MDX gets significant upgrades for 2016 that further improve this highly rated seven-seat sport-utility vehicle. Chief among them: a new nine-speed automatic transmission with a push-button electronic gear selector that saves space on the console, but doesn’t improve fuel economy as we’d have predicted. The 2016 MDX also offers a new all-wheel-drive system, new safety features, Siri Eyes Free voice recognition, a revised driver's seat that moves slightly rearward when the door is opened for easier entry and exit, and a few other minor upgrades. Inside, the front-end theme is echoed by the dash, with its V-shaped center stack and sloping, tiered design. The dash design complements the rest of the cabin, and the materials used for interior trim are coordinated nicely. The MDX is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional. The V-6 benefits from direct injection to produce 290 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 267 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm, so there is plenty of power whether moving from a standstill or needing to pull off a pass on a two-lane road. The engine feels smooth and refined. Compared with the previous six-speed transmission, the new nine-speed automatic improves acceleration performance by 0.5 seconds, according to Acura, while the pushbutton selector frees up some interior space. However, the transmission lacks refinement. It wasn’t as smooth nor as seamless as we expected--a common thread we’ve found in other vehicles equipped with the latest nine-speed automatics. The 2016 MDX comes standard with tri-zone automatic climate control and a leather-trimmed interior with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat. The Acura Premium Audio System with eight speakers is standard, with 10- and 12-speaker systems part of the Advance or Technology packages. Navigation is optional. Gas mileage ranges from an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 21 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. Advance models have stop/start, which improves city economy by 1 mpg, but that still doesn’t help the nine-speed MDX from improving on last year’s six-speed model. The MDX is one of the better-handling luxury SUVs. The Integrated Dynamics System lets the driver increase steering feel and quicken throttle response by pressing an IDS button next to the shift buttons. The Sport setting quickens steering response, while the Comfort settings results in lighter steering feel. On all-wheel-drive models, the system more aggressively distributes power to the outside wheels in a curve. The SH-AWD system can split torque front to rear, as well as side to side across the rear wheels, which allows it to move power around more precisely. This makes for more stable handling in slippery conditions.

Summary Safety is one of the MDX’s best selling points. The MDX earned top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including the Top Safety Pick+ accolade, as well as five-star scores from the federal government in overall, frontal and side impact. High-tech options are available, from lane-departure warnings, to rearview and sideview cameras, to adaptive cruise control.

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